Herbert "Bud" Bennett

Bud Bennett, age 87 passed away at the King Veterans Home on June 27, 2026 due to complications resulting from a fall at his home. He was born in Chicago, IL on June 26, 1939, to Herbert and Harriet Bennett. Bud was raised in the Chicago area and enlisted into the United States Air Force. After completing his active-duty enlistment, Bud joined the Teamsters Union and had a career as a semi-truck driver for lumber and shipping yards. Bud was married with two children and spent most of his earlier years living near the Chicago area. It wasn’t until the late 90’s that Bud and his wife, Gladys, decided to move to Wautoma. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and shooting guns.

Bud has been an active and generous member of the Waushara-Wautoma Senior Center since 2010. Mary Kunasch, the office manager, had this to say. “Bud enjoyed coming in with his leather pouch of money and jingling it saying he was ready to add to the coins inside. He was always at the center on time and ready to use his card playing skills. The center also has two pool tables and Bud was always in early on Thursdays to practice a bit before the other members arrived. He enjoyed the matches between Berlin and Wautoma every month. When the Berlin players came to Wautoma, he would make sure they had coffee and a variety of donuts.”

“His delightful spirit will certainly be missed by many, especially by me”, said Mary. “We became great friends, and he would often bring in little gifts including his last gift, a dream catcher, which hangs in my office. A year ago, at Easter he brought in his late wife’s cherished Easter collection for all to be enjoyed and after Easter they were carefully packed up and returned. “My regret is that the day he was found in his home was a Pool Day Thursday and I had baked his favorite, banana muffins, brought them in early so he could share with the Berlin Pool Players, but Bud was not at the Center. I kept calling his cell phone but had no answer and I feared something was wrong. He always said when he was going to be out of town. He never got to enjoy the banana muffins made that morning - just for him”, said Mary. He was a kind and faithful friend with a bright outlook and loved talking about his raised garden beds, trips to the casino, and the outdoor kitties he would buy canned food for and feed every day on his porch. He was a very private man with a kind heart. He will be missed at the WW Senior Center.

Bud is survived by his daughter Susan, his son James Bennett and his wife Aracely along with four grandchildren, Jared Bennett and Samantha (Nathan) Simpson, Belen Bennett, Ayan Bennett and three great grandchildren Riley Bennett, Aurora Williamson and Tanner Simpson.

Per Bud’s wishes, no services will be held.